German word

Madame

Pronunciation

IPA/maˈdam/

Meaning

  • feminine nounlady

Example

Ich gebe der Madame das Buch.

I give the lady the book.

Illustration for Madame (lady)

More examples

Ich schreibe eine Einladung an Madame.

I write an invitation to the lady.

Core concept

A marked polite title for an adult woman.

Common phrases

  • Mit Madame sprechen

    speak with the lady

  • an Madame schreiben

    write to the lady

Similar words

Frau: A general respectful title for an adult woman.
Dame: A dignified or refined woman.
Fräulein: A former title for a young unmarried woman.

Definition in German

Anrede für eine erwachsene Frau, höflich und eher formell, oft in Service- oder Bühnenkontexten verwendet.

Word origin

French madame entered German as Madame; French madame developed from the phrase ma dame 'my lady', from Latin mea domina.

Usage tips

  • Madame is a feminine noun, so the dative form in Ich gebe der Madame das Buch uses the article der.

Other meanings

  • madamnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word